Previews are now underway for Harry Potter, the Exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Following on our reports from over the weekend, TLC reader Michael was able to get an early tour yesterday, and sent in some new delightful details of the props and set pieces used in the Harry Potter films fans attending the exhibit can expect to see.

A video montage of the first five Harry Potter films starts things off, with the images “concluding with it looking like the Hogwarts Express entering the station into Hogsmeade. A side wall then opened up “to reveal the scarlet stream engine.” You entered into Gryffindor Tower with an animated paintings of The Fat Lady “attempting to break the glass with her voice (very cool!).” Fans will be able to see things such as the Marauders Map “Hermione’s wand, time-turner and planner and the members list of Dumbledore’s Army,” as well as Neville’s Mimbulus Mimbletonia.

Michael continues: “There was a section devoted to Defense Against the Dark Arts where we see Gilderoy Lockhart’s complete published works and the portrait of him painting himself. The is also a life-sized “freshly caught” Cornish Pixie. For Professor Lupin we see the Boggart Wardrobe and a full-sized Jack in the Box. There is also the records of the PotterCast drums on display. Professor Umbridge is represented by a wholly pink display, complete with kitten plates, pink kitten stationary, and dangerous detention quill. Harry’s parchment with “I will not tell lies” is sitting right on the table.”

“Later, we enter the area devoted to dark magic. We see Voldemort’s robes from GoF. They are actually green! We see Draco and Lucius Malfoy’s attire from GoF. That includes Lucius’s snake-headed staff with
emerald eyes. Other metallic snakes adorn his robes and shirt. There is a full-scale dementor and I found it interesting that the “tail” of the dementor is visible beneath the cloak and it looks like an exposed spine trailing into the tail. Further down is the Prisoner of Azkaban outfit worn by Belletrix Lestrange and right nex to them is Kreacher looking as grumpy as ever. The Angel of Death statue from the graveyard scene is included in the exhibit.”

“There are also Ministry missives including the paper airplanes and the Wizard version of Cliff’s Notes. It is a study aid for the O.W.L.s.: How to Soar on Your OWLs! The Interdepartmental memos include an ‘M’ across the fold along the top and is sealed with a Ministry of Magic emblem (sticker.) They are printed on purple paper. There is also candy from from Honeyduke’s and also the Weasley Twin’s Skiving Snackboxes.”

“We move from there (Greenhouse) into the Quidditch area and the first thing we see is the crate from The Sorcerer’s Stone containing the four balls. There is also the Nimbus 2000 and 2001 (Sorry, no Firebolt!) There are many sets of Quidditch including Victor Krum’s from the World Cup. We see Ron’ robes from the upcoming Half-blood Prince film. You also get to test your skills with a Quaffle (I only missed one!) We also see robes for Draco Malfoy, Oliver Wood, and Cedric Diggory.”

Finally, PotterCast listeners may also recognize Michael as not only one of the editors on the show, but also as the voice of Hagrid for our Acting Troupe and Co-host of the Harry Potter filk podcast Filkcast:Potter Style. It is with delight he writes the following: “…we see Buckbeak the Hippogriff next to Hagrid’s pumpkin patch. And this brings us to Hagrid’s Hut. Inside is the actual table and chair seen in the Sorcerer’s Stone and on top is a shaking, rattling dragon egg (which presumably contains Norbert.) There is a large Hagrid-sized armchair for you to try out and we see Hagrid’s full attire. I am 6 foot 3 and the shoulders are a foot above my head. Too cool! We also see a few copies of The Monster Book of Monsters (there actually octopus suckers on the little tendrils), the lantern used to enter the dark forest and his pink umbrella wand! All in all, “it was amazing to see Harry’s clothes from SS (He was so small, then) and all the various wands. My favorite items included seeing the Grim teacup and the Marauder’s map, oh, and Rita Skeeter’s acid green quill.”

A press preview is also being held this week for all the fansites including TLC, and we will have much more then, stay tuned! Thanks so much Michael!

Harry Potter, the Exhibit opens April 30 and runs until September 27, 2009. For more ticket info, hours and more, please click here.